Kmcalpin

A great result so credit to SK and SF. When we lose they take criticism so its only right they take the plaudits when we win, especially like this. We'll done to the players too. Two nice goals through Paton and especially Spittal. I'm happy for the fans who journeyed North. They were rightly rewarded. At worst we'll finish 9th. We can now watch St Johnstone and Ross County battle it out. Saints fans are in complete meltdown and are not enamoured with Craig Levein.

You've nailed it. As Wellsince75 points out though the defence and midfield have not helped. In my book, taking into account his distribution, shot stopping and aerial ability he's average - probably lower level Premiership level. How long is it since we developed a first pick goalie from within our own ranks? Ally Maxwell?

Absolutely. I detect a degree of overconfidence amongst the herd. Hopefully that extends to their players.

Encouragingly both SK and SF have said in recent days that they want to get transfer business done sooner this year and go into pre season with a more settled squad. That makes perfect sense but may be easier said than done, given the scale of the task. Certainly they've had much more time this year to plan for the rotating door ahead this summer. If rumours are to be believed we've signed a few on PCAs. Its never ideal going into league cup games, even against lesser opposition, with incomplete or half baked squads.

I just hope the squad doesn't hit the beach. Ross County will be fired up for this one.

A tabloid rumour of courre and that comes with its own health warning. He'd be ok as a back up playing the very rare game and on a low wage. Stick two decent wing backs out wide, some huge central defenders, and a midfield screen in front of him and he'll be fine.

I think he's possibly one of the 2 rumoured Raith targets, partly because of our previous interest. Do I think he's Premiership level? Thats another matter entirely.

He's interesting Dunfermline apparently.

Another possible signing from Raith might be loanee Shaun Byrne, who will be out of contract with Dundee. I'm sure he's been linked with us before.

Given the lad's age, I'd be looking at a David Turnbull + fee. Not unreasonable and chickfeed to an English Premier League club.

I agree with most of that. I think Paton is underrated. He's no worldbeater but he brings an energy and mobility to the midfield no-one else does. I'm not convinced at all about Davor. Yes, he is the type of player we need, but he's just too lightweight. Despite his pugnacious language, Steelboy has a point about our midfield. All season it has failed to protect our central defence. Now thats a down to a combination of factors: players being played out of position (some moreso than others), the wrong combination being fielded and just not having a solid out and out defensive midfielder. I've been really impressed with Lennon Miller, but feel that his best position is slightly further forward than where he's been deployed. I take your point about Halliday's fitness, but am wary about us placing too much reliance on him next season. In short, our defensive frailties this term have not all been down to a shaky goalie and erratic central defence. That midfield weakness needs rectified. As we seem to be in a "Raith Rovers" mode right now, the kind of player we need is Scott Brown. However, I believe he's under contract form another year. A tenacious, hard tackling leader; thats what we need..

I assume so. Either that, or his contract isn't worth the paper its written on.

Liam Dick or Dylan Corr both defenders?

Incoming goalkeepers being discussed on P & B which is heading towards meltdown over their identities.

Anderson is off to Killie. Wages would be an issue for us, if Ross County want to keep players. I've no opinion on Murray but Callachan is a bit of a headless chicken going by his spells at Kirkcaldy, Edinburgh and Perth. I watched him a fair bit whilst he was at Starks Park and he always worked damned hard but didn't actually do anything.

Hearts would have a major say of course but surely his agent wouldn't release or agree to such an approach without consulting him? If he or she did then that a really poor show.

A lot of truth in that Weeyin. Coaching can only take players so far. The odd individual error is acceptable but if it happens time after time, albeit only twice or three times per game? Sloppy and overelaborate defending almost cost us early on last Saturday. On several occasions, we faffed about the back passing the ball to and fro when Livi players were closing us down quickly. Liam Kelly didn't help matters much though with his poor judgement when passing the ball out to players already under pressure. That wasn't down to individual errors.

I have mixed feelings about this. I get why he would pick up awards and have no problem with that. However, I personally think that the POTY award should involve more than just on the field performance. Weighting maybe 90% on the field performance and 10% other factors. If there are other close contenders then who are staying? His performances have tailed off since his PCA was made public, as a few posters have commented. Surely he had some say in the release of the news? Players and coaches have a different perspective to ordinary fans. In the past a few fans' favourites have been "disliked" in the dressing room.

Yes, coaching does need to be improved. Clearly attempts have been made to address our achilles heel, but they've mainly unsuccessful. I've no idea why.

Some of these rumours articulated on P & B too. Like StAndrew7, I hope we don't announce any names until their seasons end, but that may be outwith our control i.e. the now infamous Tom Wright announcement. Certainly we do have a good track record, as a club, in this regard. I watched Obileye very closely indeed on Saturday and it was mixed bag. He saved a couple of potential goals with fantastic interventions but also made a few blunders. Bevis MK2? I'm actually optimistic for next season. Clearing a fair bit of deadwood will free up wages and SK has now had ample time to to fully assess his squad. There are virtually no players I'd hate to lose - maybe McGinn and possibly SOD but thats about it. If Bair and/or Miller move on so be it but we shouldn't overrely on those moves financially. The chances of retaining Vale and Gent only become realistic if you've been using a hookah. The defence needs 100% strengthened, not just with positional requirements but also with personality/character ones as well. A commanding goalie; commanding central defenders; mobile defensive midfielder for starters. We badly need oprganisers/leaders on the pitch. By my reckoning we need anywhere from 14-16 new lads but that doesn't take into account internal promotions from the Academy. Strikers: as things stand we probably need another couple and certainly one with the physical attributes to replace Bair, in a lone role, should he get injured or suspended. A few issues to be clarified: Ewan Wilson - worth a new deal? Sam Nicholson - worth a deal in my view Ross Tierney - mutual or punt out on loan again? Mark Ferrie - needs another year in the development squad, although he is 18.

I didn't have a good enough view at the time so couldn't comment, but yes, the TV highlights suggest that it was a penalty. The defender wasn't jumping or off balance, but his arm was out and appeared to move towards the ball. The chalked off equaliser? It happened not far from us and we had a grandstand view. We were all shouting for a blatant foul, which it 100% was. The only issue was why the ref allowed play to go on. Yes, Livi were quite streetwise; quite a few instances of our lads just about to make a pass when they were pushed/punched in the back and made to look really quite foolish with a misplaced effort.

Ah so its still King Louis.

Our second biggest win of the season, which secured our top flight status for another year, so theres plenty to be positive about. Thoroughly deserved. At worst we'll finish 10th, and a few months ago many would have settled for that, including me. I thought yesterday's line up was a bit of an odd mixture in midfield and didn't know what to make of it. Maybe a one off for the Livingston game? It looked pretty positive on paper, albeit with only 1 striker, but the midfield looked lightweight without a clear defensive player and some mobility. Early on Livi caused us trouble on the break as they drove through our midfield. Having built up a clear lead we sat back a bit and they enjoyed plenty of possession, without troubling Kelly apart from cross balls/corners. We defended too deeply and it was inevitable they'd score at some point, given our default defensive frailties and their physical prowess. Some of the overelaborate faffing about at the back, usually involving Kelly, frustrated many. That said, he didn't do much wrong. Thems the negatives and there has to be some, given no performance is ever perfect. I suspect SK & SF will have identified far more negatives than I have. Plenty of positives though and they markedly outweighed the negatives above. We won 4-1, so SK's planning was proved right for the day. We played some very open entertaining football in spells and converted not a few chances. The defence did what it had to do in the main, with the exception of a few lapses. I thought Georgie Gent was a standout, with his pace and crossing. Lennon Miller was impressive too, although I'd like to see him play a bit further forward. Spittal was better than of late but Nicholson caught the eye and topped off a good showing with his spectacular goal that will be remembered by many for a very long time indeed. One for the history books. Up front the Bair played very well and was MOTM. His headed goal was a peach and his overhead effort really deserved better. Very pleasing to see Harry Paton take to the field. He has his faults, but we have missed his energy big time in midfield. Encouraging too, to see Luca Ross get a few minutes at the very end. All in all, an entertaining day for the fans with a practical outcome which will be recognised by the SPFL, in their decision to award us 3 points. PS: I think Theo Bair has now broken Louis Moult's season's best, of 15, by a goal.

The Bois did themselves proud yesterday - a lot of thought and effort went into that display and it added to the atmosphere. Generally I'm not a fan of pyros due to the effect smoke can have on those nearby. However yesterday, it was confined to one corner of the East Stand, with no-one affected in the South Stand. I am still of the view that we need to take a consistent view pyros, whether they are in a football stadium or on a protest march. Football fans shouldn't be singled out unless there's a serious incident. Fireworks over the East Stand! Thats a first.

True to a certain extent although the principle remains the same. If you're happier to extend this comparison to local rags then they're full of crime reports, controversies, road accidents; deaths; crumbling schools; terrible planning applications and political shenanigans etc (based on recent Dundee Courier articles). The odd good news item is chucked in. I'm depressed just thinking about it! Its an old adage that good news/events don't create interest. In short, this Forum is no different to society as a whole. I'll post my, hopefully balanced, match summary in the morning to try to stimulate some debate.